Premium Balkans in Depth

26 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 11 photos
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

Health Safety +

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Unlock the cultural treasure chest of the Balkans on an in-depth 26-day Premium adventure from Split to Bucharest. Amazing beaches and sunshine give way to medieval towns and castles as lesser known National Parks provide an incredible mountianous backdrop. Get away from the modern world and in with the locals on the remote and beautiful island of Lastovo, an...
26%
$17,989
From$13,325
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Follow a local guide through Diocletian's Palace in Split, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with pre-Romanesque churches, Gothic chapels and museums.
    • Spend two nights in Santa Lucia Heritage Hotel – your Feature Stay in Split –located right in the popular Pjaca (also known as the Peoples Square). This gorgeous 1776 building was recently restored and features the la luce terrace, a secret garden and private dining options
    • Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea, a Premium Exclusive Experience.
    • Explore Balkan history, discovering Saxon villages with fairytale scenery, mideivel Old Towns with pretty market squares, and Orthodox monasteries where you'll taste the famous Tvrdos wine made by its monks.

What's this trip about?

    Unlock the cultural treasure chest of the Balkans on an in-depth 26-day Premium adventure from Split to Bucharest. Amazing beaches and sunshine give way to medieval towns and castles as lesser known National Parks provide an incredible mountianous backdrop. Get away from the modern world and in with the locals on the remote and beautiful island of Lastovo, and soak up ancient riches of Transylvania, and discover Tara National Park’s spectacular scenery on foot and riding the rails on a historic steam train. Bursting with culinary delights and cultural wonders - the Balkans has it all.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySplit
End CityBucharest

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Romania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Croatia
  • Serbia

Attractions

  • Belgrade
  • Brasov
  • Bucharest
  • Croatia
  • Dubrovnik
  • Romania
  • Sarajevo
  • Split
  • Transylvania

Trip includes

    • Split - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Split - Walking Tour with Local Guide
    • Split - Diocletian's Palace Visit
    • Korcula Island - Korcula Old Town Orientation Walk
    • Korcula - Local Winery lunch and wine tasting
    • Vela Luka - Vela Spila
    • Korcula - Custom half day tour
    • Korcula – Blato Ethno House Barilo
    • Dubrovnik - City Walls
    • Trsteno - Arboretum visit
    • Trsteno - Olive Farm tasting and brunch
    • Dubrovnik - Sunset Sailing
    • Dubrovnik - Cavtat Tour
    • Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience
    • Stolac - Town Visit
    • Trebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine Tasting
    • Trebinje - Walking Tour
    • Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
    • Sarajevo - Walking Tour
    • Sarajevo - Cooking Demo and Home-made Dinner
    • Višegrad - Town Visit
    • Tara National Park - Hike
    • Tara National Park - Steam Train
    • Belgrade - Walking Tour
    • Timisoara - City Tour
    • Sibiu - Evening Walking Tour
    • Sarmizegetusa Regia - Guided Tour
    • Sibiu - ASTRA Village Museum
    • Alba Lulia - Citadel Tour
    • Turda - Salt Mines Tour
    • Malancrav - Village Stop
    • Medias - Town Stop
    • Biertan - Town Stop
    • Sighisoara - Walking Tour
    • Rupea - Fortress Stop
    • Bran Castle - Tour
    • Brasov - Walking Tour
    • Peles - Castle Visit
    • Brasov - Chimney Cake Tasting
    • Azuga - Winery Tour and Tasting with Lunch

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Split

Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins in Split – right on the Adriatic coast, this is Croatia’s second-largest city, combining stunning architecture with timeless tradition. You’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel when you a...

Day 2 Split

This morning, you’ll head out on a sustainable Urban Adventure – Unveiling Split’s Living History. Led by a licensed heritage interpreter, stroll through the historic streets of Split, unveil the city's hidden gems and get a glimpse into the lives of those who call th...

Day 3 Korcula

Take a morning ferry to Korcula – a paradisical island off the Dalmatian Coast. When you arrive in the afternoon, head out on a walking tour with a local guide dressed in traditional costume to the folklore treasury of Korcula Town. Here, traditional costumes and item...

Day 4 Korcula

Get ready for an exciting, custom-made half-day tour around Korcula today. You'll explore the rich history of the island and visit places that are less impacted by tourism, supporting the local community. First, visit the Ethnographic Museum Barilo in Blato and explor...

Day 5 Korcula

Today is a free day in Korcula. You might like to spend the day lazing at one of the hidden beaches and soak up the sun, taking a dfip in the glittering waters of the bay. Alternatively, maybe head to another local winery and support the local community with some deli...

Day 6 Dubrovnik

You’ll begin the journey to Dubrovnik today, stopping at Trsteno along the way – a small village just 20 km away from Dubrovnik. Here, you’ll tuck into a delicious brunch of local products made by a local family on their farm and presented by the famous Croatian chef ...

Day 7 Dubrovnik

The day is free to explore Dubrovnik at your leisure. This gorgeous city offers a wealth of experiences to cater to every taste, so maybe ask your leader for some suggestions. Maybe visit the historical Rector's Palace and marvel at the ornate Venetian-Gothic architec...

Day 8 Dubrovnik

Enjoy another free day in the jewel of the Dalmatian Coast. Perhaps take a ferry to explore the Elafiti Islands, swimming in crystal clear water and exploring quaint fishing villages on foot. In the evening, you'll meet new additions to your group at a welcome meeting. Next, head for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.

Day 9 Dubrovnik

After breakfast, drive from your hotel to the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik. The region is known as the Golden Valley of Dubrovnik as it has the most fertile grounds in the area and is filled with vineyards and fruit trees. Visit the small town of Cavtat with its ...

Day 10 Mostar

Today you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia & Herzegovina, stopping at several beautiful destinations in the Herzegovina region along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje where you’ll join your leader for a walking tour that takes in the compact Old Town ...

Day 11 Sarajevo

Leave Mostar and travel towards Sarajevo, but not without a stop at Konjic where you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia, Tito's nuclear bunker. The military bunker was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and hundreds of his t...

Day 12 Sarajevo

Today is yours to explore your way. Taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav war or perhaps take a cable car up Trebevic mountain to enjoy magnificent views over the city. You’ll finish the day with a m...

Day 13 Tara National Park

Today you’ll travel onwards to Serbia with a stop in the small town of Višegrad where a magnificent 16th-century bridge dominates the horizon and provided the inspiration for the Nobel Prize winning literary work, The Bridge on the Drina. From Višegrad, you’ll cross t...

Day 14 Belgrade

This morning you'll explore Tara National Park further with a scenic steam train ride through the park’s forest and mountains. This section of the railway is part of the famous Ciro trail that connects Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea. Rattle along the tracks as the narr...

Day 15 Belgrade

Start your day with a guided walking tour and discover all that Belgrade has to offer including Republic Square, Knez Mihailova Street which is lined with historic buildings and Kalemegdan Park and the Belgrade Fortress where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Immerse y...

Day 16 Belgrade

Welcome to Serbia! Your adventure begins in Belgrade, the cosmopolitan capital. An Intrepid representative will meet you at the airport and you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Tonight you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm for an important welcom...

Day 17 Timisoara

This morning you’ll travel by private vehicle to Timisoara, crossing the Serbia-Romania border en route. Timisoara is a pretty park-filled city with a remarkable past. It was here that an uprising of local people sparked the Romanian Revolution in 1989, which saw the ...

Day 18 Sibiu

Today you’ll make your way to Sibiu, stopping on the way to visit Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dacia. Romania’s answer to Stonehenge, Sarmizegetusa Regia was a centre of religious, military and political significance until it was invaded ...

Day 19 Sibiu

This morning you’ll head to the outskirts of the city to explore ASTRA Village Museum. Set across 96 acres surrounding a sparkling lake, this open air living museum seeks to preserve, showcase and celebrate Romanian folk culture and traditional ways of life. Wander th...

Day 20 Coltesti Village

Depart Sibiu and head to Alba Lulia, one of the oldest cities in Romania. It is home to an 18th-century citadel with a history that dates back to Roman times. Shaped like a seven-point star, the fortress features a collection of ornate gates and vantage points, as wel...

Day 21 Sighisoara

Prepare for an unforgettable underground experience as you make your way to Turda Salt Mine. The gargantuan subterranean space was renovated and opened to the public in the early 1990s and resembles an alien planet or a Bond villain’s lair. Don’t forget to pack a swea...

Day 22 Sighisoara

This morning, explore the colourful streets of Sighisoara’s old town on a guided walk. You’ll visit the 14th-century Clock Tower that dominates the skyline (and offers 360 views from the top), and climb the 176 creaking covered steps that connect the upper and lower p...

Day 23 Brasov

After breakfast you’ll make your way to Brasov, making a pitstop at hilltop Rupea Fortress. The restored citadel’s steep and rocky pathways spiral up to the highest point, offering broad sweeping views over the surrounding green fields. Next, you'll visit Bran Castle,...

Day 24 Brasov

Your tour of Romanian castles continues with Peles, but this one is somewhat more modern. Built in the late 19th century, the neo-Renaissance creation is even more extravagant on the inside than it is on the outside. Return to Brasov, and in the afternoon join your gu...

Day 25 Bucharest

Enjoy a free morning in Brasov. Perhaps seek out tiny String Street, which is 44 inches at its narrowest point or indulge in some Romanian sweet treats such as kurtoskalacs, a cinnamon-sprinkled delight known as chimney cake, or papanasi, a sweet cream doughnut topped...

Day 26 Bucharest

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Bucharest, let us know in advance – we would be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $13,325
Price per day$513
Last Updated: 4/22/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
03 May 2024
28 May 2024
$13,325
3 spots left
10 May 2024
04 Jun 2024
$13,325
4 spots left
31 May 2024
25 Jun 2024
$13,850
3 spots left
09 Aug 2024
03 Sep 2024
$13,455
6 spots left
06 Sep 2024
01 Oct 2024
$14,580
Sold Out
13 Sep 2024
08 Oct 2024
$14,645
Sold Out
09 May 2025
03 Jun 2025
$13,580
12 spots left
16 May 2025
10 Jun 2025
$13,580
12 spots left
30 May 2025
24 Jun 2025
$14,120
12 spots left
13 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$14,120
12 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,274
Great
664
Average
144
Disappointing
80
Terrible
195
Write a Review

Other Intrepid Travel Reviews

M

Mike Lau

Nov 2023

Written on

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food…

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....

A

Audrey Tavares

Nov 2023

Written on

Central Asia Explorer

This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...

N

Nic

Feb 2024

Written on

Do not book a tour with Intrepid

Do not book a tour with Intrepid. Their “policy” on deposits is unreasonable, inflexible and downright thieving. I booked a tour in India with them over seven month...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

premier
View Profile

The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (21 nights),Feature Stay (4 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Ferry,Private vehicle,Train,

Transportation & flights

Ferry,Private vehicle,Train
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements CROATIA VISA Visas for Croatia are not required for passport holders of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. All other nationalities should check with the relevant authorities. You'll need to present a copy of booking confirmation for your travels in Croatia. Please make sure you have such booking confirmations on hand for entry.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. SCAMS Common scams operating in Europe include ploys to get you fined on the metro without a validated ticket. Ensure that you always travel with a validated ticket (have your ticket stamped). Another common scam is used by children who distract you with a map or a newspaper and while you are attending to them, steal your valuables. You may also come across players offering you to participate in the so-called "shell game". This is a scam and you will most certainly lose your money.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
Finish point Hotel Capitol 29 Calea Victoriei Sector 1 Bucharest ROMANIA Phone: +40 213158030 Alternate Finish point For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point. 10 May 2024 (ZMPDC240510), 31 May 2024 (ZMPDC240531), 09 Aug 2024 (ZMPDC240809), 06 Sep 2024 (ZMPDC2409062) Continental Forum Bucharest 82-84, Izvor Street, Romania Bucharest 050564 ROMANIA
Trip ID
intrepid-ZMPDC

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >